The Bridegroom of Death
My first attempt to do a translation from Spanish was the anthem of the Spanish Foriegn Legion. "The Bridegroom of Death." It turned out to be a lot of work, but in the end I believe my translation worked out well. Now that I have studied Spanish for another year. I thought to review it and there was nothing to change. More than anything it shows how much you can do with Google Translate and a little common sense.
I came to translate the anthem after reading an online article. It seems that women on the Internet were sharing a picture of a handsome soldier in the Legion and the article explained a little about the Legion. One thing the article said is that the Legion is known as the "Bridegroom of Death." I thought that there must be an interesting story behind that, so I used my search engine to find it. I found that the author was mistaken and "The Bridegroom of Death" is the name of the Legion's anthem. And I also found a video on YouTube of Legionaires performing the anthem. The performance took place during the Holy Week before Easter and has eleven Legionaires carrying a life sized crucifix with an image of Jesus, at times lifting it arm's length above the head, while singing the anthem. This was so strange to me that I looked for the lyrics of the anthem to find what they were singing. I found the lyrics but couldn't find a translation, so I made my own. And in my opinion it turned out well. You can decide for yourself; I have included it below.
What about the anthem and its performance did I find strange? Before I answer, please do not take it as a criticism of the Legion or the Legionaires. The life of a soldier can be difficult and dangerous and I have the greatest respect for anyone who will do it. But in the United States the long tradition of separation between Church and State would make any performance like this illegal and unthinkable. This was the heritage of the American Revolution and its founders, most who were Masons. Simon Bolivar and Santander, liberators of South America, were also Masons and anti-clerical. So this close connection between the Legion and the Catholic Church is something you will not see any other country and strikes me as strange.
Also, the anthem is a song of death and loss. Normally I would expect a miltary anthem to be a song celebrating victory and not a song mourning a lost love. I believe that the anthem is most often sung when remembering those soldiers who have fallen in battle, but still the downbeat tone of the song strikes me as unusual.
Himno de La Legión
Anthem of the (Spanish) Legion
Nadie en el Tercio sabía
No one in the Third (Regiment) knew
quien era aquel legionario
Who was that legionaire
tan audaz y temerario
So bold and reckless
que a la Legión se alistó.
That he joined the Legion
Nadie sabía su historia,
No one knew his story
más la Legión suponía
But the Legion supposed
que un gran dolor le mordía
That a great pain bit him
como un lobo, el corazón.
Like a wolf in the heart
Más si alguno quien era le preguntaba
And if anyone asked who he was
con dolor y rudeza le contestaba:
With pain and curtness he answered
Soy un hombre a quien la suerte
I am a man who luck
hirió con zarpa de fiera;
Wounded with a beast's paw
soy un novio de la muerte
I am a bridegroom of death
que va a unirse en lazo fuerte
Who will join with a strong bond
con tal leal compañera.
With such a faithful companion
Cuando más rudo era el fuego
When the fire was very cruel
y la pelea más fiera
And the fight very fierce
defendiendo su Bandera
Defending his flag
el legionario avanzó.
The legionaire advanced
Y sin temer al empuje
And without fearing the push
del enemigo exaltado,
Of the impassioned enemy
supo morir como un bravo
He knew how to die like a brave man
y la enseña rescató.
And rescued the insignia
Y al regar con su sangre la tierra ardiente,
And watering with his blood the burning earth
murmuró el legionario con voz doliente:
The legionaire murmured with a painful voice
Soy un hombre a quien la suerte
I am a man who luck
hirió con zarpa de fiera;
Wounded with a beast's paw
soy un novio de la muerte
I am a bridegroom of death
que va a unirse en lazo fuerte
Who will join with a strong bond
con tal leal compañera.
With such a faithful companion
Cuando, al fin le recogieron,
When at the end they recovered him
entre su pecho encontraron
On his chest they found
una carta y un retrato
A letter and a portrait
de una divina mujer.
Of a divine woman
Y aquella carta decía:
And that letter said:
"...si algún día Dios te llama
"If some day God calls you
para mi un puesto reclama
Claim for me a place
que buscarte pronto iré".
Where I will go to find you soon"
Y en el último beso que le enviaba
And in the last kiss he sent her
su postrer despedida le consagraba.
His last farewell sanctified him
Por ir a tu lado a verte
For I am going to your side to see you
mi más leal compañera,
My most faithful companion
me hice novio de la muerte,
I became the bridegroom of death
la estreché con lazo fuerte
I embraced her with a strong bond
y su amor fue mi ¡Bandera!
And her love was my flag!